The Linemakers

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Saturday’s college football card features championship games in the SEC, Big Ten and ACC, as well as a slate of Big 12 contests and several other intriguing matchups. The Linemakers on Sporting News have leans on many of them.

The Linemakers’ take:Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS on the road this season, but we’re not sure what they have to play for Saturday. On the other hand, this is a big game for UConn — they have to win to become bowl eligible. Also, the Huskies have covered four-straight in this series and seem to be a different team since getting running back Lyle McCombs back.

The Linemakers’ take: Teams that suffer their first loss of the season typically don’t bounce back well the following week. And Kansas State’s situation may be worsened by the fact that they’ve had two weeks to stew over their loss to Baylor. Texas is strong when getting points on the road, and we can’t even remember the last time they’ve been a double-digit dog.

The Linemakers' take:We’re pretty sure this is the highest total that’s ever been posted for a football game, but OVER is still taking the action, having been bet up from 86. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, is coming off an emotional overtime loss to its top rival, Oklahoma, and might have a tough time getting up for this game. The Cowboys are just 1-3 ATS on the road this season. Baylor has revenge on its mind, as the Bears lost, 59-24, at Oklahoma State last season. Tough spot for the Cowboys.

The Linemakers' take: Georgia is is 1-7 ATS as a dog under Mark Richt, and Alabama has won by 13 points or more in 27 of its last 28 wins. But Georgia has the athletes — including Aaron Murray, who may be the first QB drafted this year — to stay in this game. Alabama wins a close one, and we’re leaning toward the dog and the OVER.

The Linemakers' take: The line is right about it where it should be for this Big Ten rematch. Nebraska won the first meeting between these teams, 30-27, but failed to get the money as an 11-point home favorite back in September. The one-dimensional Badgers don’t even belong in this game. They’re just 4-4 in conference play and get a shot at the Rose Bowl because Ohio State and Penn State — both of which finished ahead of Wisconsin in their Big Ten division — are suspended from the postseason.